5 Reasons Why Equestrians Love Sun Shirts

Summer has officially begun, which means warmer weather, longer days, more riding, and lots of time in the sun. And of course, it’s also the start of show season (the most wonderful time of the year). One of our essentials for this time of year is sun protection, specifically from sun shirts.

That raises the question, just what is it about sun shirts that riders can’t get enough of? While the reasons we love sun shirts are pretty much infinite, here are 5 of the top reasons.

1. Sun Protection

Reason number one is pretty self-explanatory. We love the added UV-protection provided by sun shirts! Our favorite sun shirt makers like Ariat, Tailored Sportsman, and Kerrits have pioneered unique, lightweight materials that keep you safe for UPF 50+. That means that 98 percent of the sun’s rays will be blocked from reaching your skin! Most UV-protective materials are synthetic, created with a tight weave to keep the rays from reaching your skin. Of course you’ll need to keep wearing sunscreen, but the added protection from burns and help lowering the risk skin cancer down the road is absolutely life-changing.

2. Cooling Properties

You may think that wearing a long-sleeved shirt in the summer would be incredibly hot, but that’s another great benefits of a sun shirt. Many also include cooling technology like IceFil. IceFil helps reduce your body temperature by up to 5 degrees, which makes a huge difference, especially on summer show days. We love IceFil so much that we’ve written a whole blog about how IceFil technology works and a few of our favorite shirts that use this tech! 

Beyond IceFil, sun shirts are also designed for extra ventilation. Many sun shirts feature a mesh panel underneath the arm to increase airflow. While you move around as you spend the day riding multiple horses, teaching, or hanging out at the show, the increased ventilation coupled with IceFil technology, will be a breath of fresh air. 

3. High-tech Materials

When we think back to the days of schooling in polos, we wonder how we ever functioned without athletic materials. While cotton is a great choice for casual looks, it doesn’t do a great job of wicking away moisture or increasing ventilation. Sweating in of your favorite cotton shirt can also create a bit of an odor, no matter how many times you wash it. Our favorite sun shirts are moisture, wicking, breathable, and anti-odor. For instance, Ariat’s sunshirts like the Sunstopper 3.0 use FreshTEK odor control. It’s an odor-resistant finish that inhibits the growth of bacterial odors to keep you smelling fresh.

4. Style

We love the style innovations for sun shirts over the last few years! Companies like Tailored Sportsman, and Kerrits have allowed us to add so many fun colors and prints to our closet and still get that all-important UV protection. In addition to summery colors and eye catching patterns, some sun shirts even have the option to choose your sleeve length and trim colors.

New colors come out every season, so there’s always an excuse for a few one. Personally, we love a neutral color with a fun zipper like the Tailored Sportsman Ladies Icefil Short Sleeve Sun Shirts in Charcoal with the All Pinky zipper. We also love the ¼ zip style because it’s super fashionable and flattering, no matter what the occasion. And, best of all, these sun shirts are great to wear year round. When it starts getting chilly, just throw a vest on and you’re set!

5. Comfort

Last, but certainly not least, sun shirts are more comfortable than a polo or even a tee shirt. The athletic materials of the shirts are designed to move with the rider. They’re a lot less restrictive than previous styles, allowing you to stay breezy even as you tackle tough training days. Not only do you look good, but you’ll feel good. Sun shirts are also extremely easy to care for since they’re machine-washable.

We love how cute, functional, and comfy sunshirts are! We wear them in and out of the barn anytime we’re outside or exercising. You can see our full collection of sunshirts online or come by the store so we can gush about our favorite ones. And leave us a comment with a reason why you love sun shirts!

Check out our entire collection of sun shirts HERE!!